The Network of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (NOCSON) has issued a plea to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address the shortage of registration machines in the Edo North Senatorial District.
The civil society organisation highlighted the insufficient human and material resources in the district amidst a surge in voter registrations.
During a press conference in Benin, President of NOCSON, Ogbidi Emmanuel, called upon INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and Edo State Resident Commissioner, Dr. Johnson Alalibo, to take immediate action to ensure that potential voters in the senatorial district are not denied their electoral rights.
Emmanuel expressed concern about the District’s lagging progress in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, citing reports from NOCSON’s foot soldiers and members. The statistical distribution of registration data across the district revealed a significant disparity compared to other districts in the state. Limited access to registration centres, machines, and personnel was identified as the primary barrier for potential voters.
Emmanuel warned that this situation could lead to the disenfranchisement of Edo North voters in the upcoming 2023 general elections and emphasized the need for urgent action from INEC.
He called for an increase in the number of registration centres, provision of additional data capturing machines, and the deployment of sufficient personnel across the six local government areas in the district.
NOCSON’s appeal serves as a crucial reminder for INEC to address the insufficiencies in the Edo North Senatorial District to ensure that all eligible voters are able to exercise their democratic rights.
